2001 will probably be the first year toward delisting the wolf in the Northern Rockies.

It looks like 2001 is shaping up to be the first of three years when the wolf population in Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming will meet the minimum criteria for delisting -- 30 breeding pairs of wolves.

The number of breeding pairs was 2 short in 2000.  Although 2000 began with more than 30 pairs, illegal killing and management killing of wolves due to livestock depredations kept the final number below 30. A breeding pair is defined as a pack with an alpha male and alpha female for the entire year plus at least two pups that survive to the end of the year. 

Idaho recovery area-
In spring 2000, seventeen packs produced 16 litters of pups in Idaho, including the state's first known double litter (in the Chamberlain Basin Pack). The estimated number of pups was 62. Six litters were from new breeding pairs. Two packs, however, had a litter of just one pup. Illegal killings of one or more alpha pair, relocation of one or more of the alpha pair, or "control" killing of one of the alpha pair, left but 9 breeding pairs at the end of the year.  Estimated population was 192 wolves. The Nez Perce recovery team estimates that from 26-29 packs may produce litters in Idaho this April or May. Of course, some litters won't survive and some packs will lose one of their breeding pair before the end of 2001. However, it would be very surprising if, once again, there are less than 10 pairs in Idaho at the end of the year. Idaho did have ten breeding pairs in 1999.

Yellowstone recovery area-
The year 2000 was the first year the Yellowstone area broke the 10 breeding pair barrier. There were 16 packs and 11 breeding pairs at the end of the year. Since the end of 2000, two more probable breeding pairs in 2000 have been discovered -- the rejuvenated Washakie Pack, and a new pack in the Mill Creek area about 20 miles SE of Livingston. The population was estimated at 170 wolves. At least 4 new breeding pairs have been identified in addition to the 16 packs.

Northern Montana/Idaho Panhandle recovery area-
The recovery of wolves in the northern Montana, northern Idaho zone has been the most problematic. After being close to ten breeding pairs in 1994, the population and number of breeding pairs declined rapidly after the severe winter of 1996-7 greatly reduced the number of deer, the primary prey species of wolves in the area. Since then the population has rebuilt slowly with now 6 breeding pairs and 10 -13 groups or packs (including the new wolves moved to near Lake Koocanusa late this March).

The year 2001 looks bright, but it may be complicated by another year of drought and huge forest fires in the three state area, as well as yet unknown interference by the Bush Administration. A place where the Bush Administration has had an effect is that the plan to delist, downlist, and declassify the wolf in the various wolf recovery regions of the United States is on hold and could be greatly delayed if the plan is substantially modified.